VOL. XLVII.
“AND YE SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH; AND THE
'Ml-.,
CHARLOTTE, N. O, THURSDAY, SEPT. 3, 1925.
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF
SMITH ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Rev. W. L. Metz, D. D.,
President Johnson C. Smith
University Alumni Association.
Dear Sir and Brother:
Permit me to congratulate
you upon the opportunity for
service your selection as Presi
dent ol the Alumni Association
presents. The Association hon
ors itself in thus honoring you,
and I feel sure you will welcome
suggestions that will enlarge the
sphere of usefulness of your of
fice as they relate to the ad
vancement of the honor of our
Alma Mater.
With this thought in view,
may I suggest that you prepare
weekly an article for publication
in the Africo-American Presby
terian, with the permission of
the Editor, under the general
heading, Alumni Column. Hav
ing first ascertained through
correspondence or otherwise
what success an auumnus has
achieved, it would be very pleas
ing to him as well as an inspira
tion to others to have you pub
lish the facts with his cut, per
haps, in the “Alumni Column.”
No alumnus would care to pub
lish his own achievements since
graduation, but, on the other
hand, none would be offended if
“Uncle Billy” did so. The pur
pose of this suggestion is to
arouse a deeper interest and
love for the University among
its former graduates primarily;
then, if some other alumnus,
who has grown out of touch with
xjjjit Alumni and the University,
4Uid who, perhaps, may be hav
ing a hard time of it, sees what
a brother whom he had long ago
lost track of, is doing, he may
thereby be encouraged to press
forwafit tp tftfceess. -'■
Another suggestion: Will you
not prepare a roster of the
alumni with their present ad
dresses, so far as they may be
obtained. When this roster is
reasonbly complete, a statement
in the “Alumni Column” that
you have such a list and an in
vitation to fellow Alumni to
make use of it whenever they
wish would place valuable data
at the disposal of all.
For instance: one has business
calling him, say, to Denver, Colo.
He is fully prepared to take care
of himself financially, but he
knows no one in that city. If
he could write to you and obtain
the address of a J. C. S. U. man
in that city, a wire to him would
procure lodging for the first
night, then after that he could
shift for himself. No man lives
to himself, and even though the
brother so addressed was quar
tered in one room he would
know far better than a stranger
where suitable accommodations
could be had.
In this connection may I state
that I am in Atlantic City as I
write this? I have just left
Mr. Richard S. Allen, class of
1914, after being shown by him
through the well-appointed
$250,000 Memorial Dome given
to the colored veterans of all
wars by the city. There they
have beds where any veteran
may obtan lodging for not more
than two nights, if a stranger in
the city. That is service of the
most practical kind.
Mr. Allen has taken to Atlan
tic City politics like a duck to
water and holds the confidential
position of Secretary to the
Mayor, and is a member of the
Borad of Directors of the Memo
rial Home. He has represented
the Mayor this summer in wel
coming a number of colored or
ganizations to the city and re
cently received a $300 raise in
his salary.
I mention these facts to show
you to what use the “Alumni
Column” could be put, even
though only a “stick full” or so
of “copy” be given to each
alumnus. Every member of the
class of 1914 will rejoice to
know of Mr. Allen's success and
that in this position he has been
able to help a number of other
men of our race.
Further: if an alumnus was
a candidate for a certain posi
tion and could place before the
appointing power a strong letter
coming from the presiding of
ficer of our Alumni Asso. on
official stationery, showing that
organization as a unit was be
hind him, a letter setting forth
his qualifications as a college
graduate, it could not fail to
have the effect. Why was it, in
addition to the man’s splendid
qualifications, that Rev. W. L.
Imes was elected to the New
York pastorate? It was because
the Alumni of his Alma Mater
took a decided stand. There
have been other places including
Washington, D. C., where posi
tive results followed similar ac
tion.
If the Association generally
followed such a course, the indi
vidual would be benefitted, the
Alumni Association strength
ened, and renewed interest in
our Alma Mater would result.
Sincerely yours,
JOHN E'SMITH,
Class of 1897.
HOME-COMING AT NEW
MARKET, TENN.
We had our 5th annual Home
Coming at St. Luke’s church,
New Market, Tenn., Aug. 9,
1925. The following program
was carried out with some minor
variations:
9:30, Sunday school, conduct
ed by W. T. Evans, Dandridge,
Tenn.
11 A. M., Instrumental solo,
Miss Bessie Mayle. -
Doxology, Congregation.
Prayer, Elder W. E. Tate,
JTepiu. :v .
Responsive Scripture reading,
Rev. E. B. Clarkson, Morris
town, Tenn.
Scripture Lesson, Rev. J. W.
Smith, Knoxville, Tenn.
Prayer, Mr. Henry Walker,
Morristown, Tenn.
Vocal Duett, Misses Bessie
Mayle and Pauline Donnell.
Sermon, Rev. John H. Byers,
Johnson City, Tenn.
Prayer, Rev. L. Spiro, New
Market, Tenn.
Vocal Solo, Miss Eutie Roper,
Okmulgee, Okla.
Offering.
Remarks.
Benediction.
Noon, Old Fashion Basket din
ner.
At 3 P. M., an address by Mr.
J. A. Koper, Okmulgee, Okla.
The day was ideal for such a
gathering. In the morning the
clouds overspread the heavens,
and thereby protected from the
scorching heat of the sun those
who had gathered for the occa
sion. And by eleven o’clock sev
eral hundred persons had gath
ered on the church grounds to
meet old friends and acquain
tances some of whom had
come with a View to hearing
the speakers of the day in their
sermons and addresses, not only
to break to them the bread of
eternal life, but also to give
wholesome and practical coun
sel for daily tasks and duties.
And may I add just here that
it is the opinion of more than
the writer that these varying
motives prompting the crowds
coming here were amply satis
fied by the speakers.
At 11 o’clock A. M., the Rev.
John H. Byers, D. D., Princi
pal of Langston High School,
Johnson City, Tenn., delivered
to the congregation assembled
a sermon that will long be re
membered not only for the ear
nestness, power and eloquence
with which it was delivered, but
also for the profound thoughts
to which he gave utterance.
The subject of the discourse
was: “Who is He?” based upon
the text, Matt. 21:10. Dr. By
ers answered the many critics
of the Christ of today who
would disparage His divine per
sonality and immaculate char
acter by showing what this
mighty Saviour has done for in
dividuals and the world in the
past; what He is doing now;
and what He promises to do in
the future.
In the afternoon we had a
very earnest and practical,
address given by Mr. J. A. Bo
per, of Okmulgee, Oklahoma.
Mr. Roper is a former citizen
of Jefferson County, Tennes
see, where he was born and
lived until he was in his early
twenties. Then he went to Ar
kansas and lived for several
years. Thence he moved to In
dian Territory, where he lived
and prospered among the In
dians. And he was in those
parts when Indian Territory be
came the State of Oklahoma.
Mr. Roper had only returned to
the place of his birth once in
forty-five years. During his
long stay away he has accum
ulated a neat fortune. From
reliable sources it is learned
that he owns real estate val
ued at upwards of fifty thou#*1
and dollars. So advice coming
from one who has made a reil
success in life is worthy of be
ing considered.
Also in the afternoon a ser
mon was preached by the
Rev. J. W. Smith, pastor
of the East Vine Avenue
Presbyterian church, Knox
ville, Tenn. His text was I Tim.
6:12. The theme was “bay
Hold on Eternal Life.” The
message that Rev. Smith de
livered was short, but it had
the evangelistic ring. And at
the close of the sermon one per
son came and joined the church
on profession of faith.
The financial success for the
day is worthy of note, for
$138.92 was taken in during
the day.
There were many other vis
itors of more than local promi
nence present, but want of
space forbids our maming them.
The music fbr tJ^day was fine.
Special mentidn is made of
the solo that was sung by Miss
Utie Roper, with Miss Bessie
Mayle at the piano.
Thus passed into history one
of the best Home Comings St.
Luke Church has been privi
leged to have.
W. C. H.
CAPE FEAR PRESBYTERY
THIRD DISTRICT S. S. AND
C. E. CONVENTION.
The twenty-seventh annual
session of the Sabbath School
and Christian Endeavor Con
ventions was held in the Second
Presbyterian church, Elizabeth
town, Rev. T. G. Williamson,
pastor, August 13-16, 1925. The
session was opened August 13
at 8:30 P. M., with a sermon by
the Rev. B. H. Brown, of Pem
broke, from Acts 26:16, who
urged the hearers to “Stand for
Jesus.”
After the sermon the Conven
tion was called to order by Rev.
Mr. Brown, the retiring Presi
dent, and the registration of del
egates and ministers was had,
which showed almost a full re
presentation from every field.
The election of officers was
then had. Mr. David A. Leach,
of Maxton, was chosen Presi
dent; Rev. R. C. Scriven, Max
ton, Vice-President; Miss Atlan
ta Bryan, Lumberton, Secreta
ry ; Miss D. T. Williamson,
Assist. Secretary; Mrs. J. H.
Hayswood, Lumberton, Treasur
er.
The collection, $6.60, was tak
en and the benediction was pro
nounced by Dr. C. Dillard, of
Goldsboro.
Friday Morning.
Prayer and praise services
were conducted for thirty min
utes by Rev. S. H. Holdman and
Elder McBride. “The Daily Va
cation Bible School, What It Is”
was forcefully demonstrated
with interest bjr Mr. A. H.
Prince, who has charge of this
district for the summer. This
demonstration was followed by
a live topic: “The Church’s
Greatest Peril—Religious Illit
eracy,” led by Revs. T. T
Branch, R. C. Scriven and B. H
Brown. After these had spok
en the discussion was enthusias
tScaHy joined in by ninny and a
satisfactory conclusion was
reached in the solution of this
tferjl which is tantalizing our
h in its struggle for up
me Advantages in Using
Departmental Lessons” was
next topic which created so
h interest that a call for a
onstration of how this les
is taught was made. In re
use the Sunday School Mis
ies, B. W. Kornegay and
Prince, demonstrated the
5 of the departmental lesson.
* hour for dinner arrived and
session adjourned with ben
ction by Dr. J. H. Hays wood.
Friday Afternoon.
| At 2 o’clock the convention re
assembled and conducted an in
ting song service for the
t half hour with Mrs. T. T.
n at the organ; alter
ch the Convention was called
order by the President, Mr.
ih. A demonstration of
hing the lesson of August
was had by Mr. David A.
ch, with the reiteration of
application and methods of
entation by Mrs. T. T.
nch, which filled the minds
the delegates and those of the
vention with serious
thoughts in connection with the
presentation of the Sunday
School lesson. On the heels of
this interesting topic came the
question of “The Place and Im
portance of Social Activities in
the Sabbath School," led by
Revs. T. G. Williamson, S. H.
Itoldman and T. T. Branch. This
topic aroused much for the Con
vention to consider and the dis
cussion was heartily joined in by
every one. The Convention ad
journed the afternoon session
yjth the benediction by Rev. L.
H. Fuller.
q Friday Night, 8. P. M.
M^espeiciglf program. was ar
ranged by the Christian Endeav
or with Miss A. E. Bryan pre
sidind. The program was made
up from the delegates and was
interesting in its entirety. Dr. C.
Dillard, of Goldsboro, was the
principal speaker and spoke very
forcibly on “Presbyterianism.”
This address will long be remem
bered by those who heard Dr.
Dillard on this subject. The
collection was taken amounting
to $9.00 and benediction was
pronounced by Rev. P. P. John
son.
Saturday Morning.
The first half hour was taken
up with prayer and praise ser
vice, led by Rev. L. H. Fuller, of
Chadbourn, and Elder A. L. Pat
terson, of Panthersford church.
After this the order of business
for the day was gone into, in
cluding reports from the Sab
bath schools, verbal and written.
On a whole all the Sabbath
schools in the district show pro
gress both financially and spir
itually as well as an increase in
their membership. The reports
of the contributions from Chil
dren’s Day sent the Board were
far above last y&ar. Heated de
bates at this session made it
possible for many to become
well informed in regard to the
management of the funds of the
Sabbath school in distribution;
and a thorough knowledge oi
this was had. even as it may no1
have been given in the Presby
tery.
Dr. J. H. Hayswood, the com
mittee on program, was re
tained.
The next place of meeting will
be the Bethany Presbyterian
church, Lumberton, Dr. J. H.
Hayswood, pastor.
Saturday Afternoon.
This session was given over
to the reports from the Chris
tian Endeavor Society. Many
of the Societies reported special
work being done for the church
in the way of helping it to car
ry its burdens. The societies
were urged by Miss Bryan to
increase their membership and
seek the cooperation of the
churches.
Sunday Morning.
At ten o’clock the Model Sun
day School was conducted by A,
H. Prince.
At 11 o’clock the pulpit was
filled by A. H. Prince, who
spoke from Gal. 5:1, urging for
a purpose to stand fast for God.
Sunday afternoon was given
over to a young people's, meet
ing. Special music was directed
by Misses A. E. Bryan and D.
T. Williamson. Addresses were
delivered by R. W. Kornegay
and A. H. Prince, with remarks
from Dr. J. H. Hayswpod and
Rev. T. T. Branch. Thus the
Convention was brought to an
end.
The people of Elizabethtown
spared no pains in making the
Convention pleasant for all. The
Ladies’ Missionary Society ten
dered the Convention a recep
tion on Friday evening at which
delicious ice cream and cake
were served. ReV. T. G. Wil
liamson is doing a good work
there, having built a unique ed
ifice and made untold sacrifice
for its maintenance. He is a
man full of the love of God and
is devoted to his work.
The Convention adjourned
Sunday, August 16, to meet
Thuisday before the third Sun
day in August, 1926, with Beth
any Presbyterian church, Lum
berton.
A. H. PRINCE, S. S. M.
KENDALL PRESBYTERIAL
CONVENTION.
•—1 ——■
By Rev. H. C. Cousins
The sixteenth annual Sunday
School and Woman’s Home Mis
sion Convention convened with
Mt. Olive Presbyterian church,
Okmulgee, Okla„ July 24-26
ter thirty minutes of devotional
services the session was called
to order by the President Mr.
J. H. Howell, at 9:30 Friday
morning.
Following the
delegates- and ~th«
committee on arrangements, the
President delivered his annual
address which was the best that
he has delivered to the conven
tion during his long years of ser
vice as President.
At 10:15 the real work of the
Convention program was begun
and carried out according tc
schedule.
This was considered by all to
be the best meeting that the
Convention has yet held in
many respects, although the fi
nancial side was not as good as
in some previous years. It was
full of interest and information
from start to finish. There were
more delegates in attendance
than at any previous meeting.
Some of them (14 in number)
motored more than 400 miles to
attend the Convention. The
Spirit of the Master was truly
with us during the meeting.
Among those accorded seats
as corresponding members dur
ing the sessions were Rev. W. E.
Pruitt of the A. M. E. church;
Rev. D. W. Hubbard of the A.
M. E. Zion church; Rev. W. W.
Mayle, Synodical Evangelist for
the Synod of Tennessee, and
Rev. W. D. Newhouse (white)
who sails in early September as
a missionary to Kamerun, West
Africa. Mr. Newhouse will be
supported entirely by his local
church here in Okmulgee, Okla.
At ten o’clock Saturday morn
ing the Rev. Mr. Newhouse was
invited to address the Conven
tion. This he did to the delight
of all present. His words were
thrilling and inspiring and full
of hope and life.
Instead of the usual popular
program on Friday night the
Rev. J. S. Wilson preached a
gospel sermon to a large and ap
preciative audience. Rev. Wil
son preached from the text,
“The foxes have holes and the
birds of the air have nests, but
the Son of Man hath not where
to lay his head.”
Saturday afternoon was given
over to the Ladies’ Home Mis
sion Society. There were some
very interesting papers and dis
cussions by the ladies.
On Sunday morning a model
Sunday School was conducted
by the Sunday School Missiona
ry assisted by Hon. R. S. Gam
ble.
The Convention sermon was
preached by the Rev. W. W.
Mayle, who used as a subject,
“The Seven Judgments.” This
was a powerful discourse. The
audience sat in tears while the
speaker talked with us by the
way.
At 8 o’clock P. M., the Rev.
W. E. Huston preached from the
text, “Arise ye and dep4p^J|x:
this is not your rest.” Rev.
Huston preached in his
forceful way, which always
makes a strong impression.
1 " ' '-ii ■
SOUTH CAROLINA HARD
£IT.
Washington, Aug. 25.—The
ravagse of the boll weevil and
the migration of the colored
farmers have hit South Caroli
na a blow from which she may
not soon recover, probably not
until there is a greater diversi
fication of crops and a reorgani
zation of the entire educational
system of the State. Certainly
the hign percentage of illiteracy
Among both whites and blacks
in the Palmetto State is not a
contributing factor to construc
tive economic readjustment or
to healthy and permanent pro
gress.
Conditions in Saluda County,
located in the western part of
the State, are typical. This is
the county in which the per cap
ita expenditure for the education
of children, on the basis of
teachers’ salaries, was only
$7.78 per annum for the white
;and 97 cents for the colored, as
reported several years ago by
the \j. S. "Bureau of Education.
Paltry expenditures where near
ly 5 per cent of the white and
^nh^i^ifs are clagalfled
erates make ^thi^gla^ig^f^^E"
tration of a most unfavorable
situation.
During the past hve years
this county has lost 637 Negro
farmers. Land in farms has de
creased by nearly 30,000 acres,
and the value of farm land and
buildings by 35 per cent. A fur
ther comparison with the year
1920 shows 500 less horses,
nearly 900 mules, 1600 cattle
and 850 less swine. The cotton
crop in 1924 was 14,553 bales
under the 1919 production, a de
crease which represents a stag
gering financial loss to the local
farmers and business men. To
this can be added the money loss
sustained through a decrease in
the production of corn, sweet po
tatoes, peaches and hay.
From other counties come sim
ilar reports, and it has been con
servatively estimated that fully
15,000 colored farmers in addi
tion to thousands of farm labor
ers have left the farms of South
Carolina to engage in industry
and to locate in other states
where living conditions, employ
ment opportunities and educa
tional facilities are more attrac
tive.
NOTES FROM CHURCH ST.
CHURCH, SALISBURY.
On Sunday afternoon, Au
gust 24, we had with us Dr. Z.
A. Dockery and his choir of
Statesville. He preached a
wonderful sermon from the sub
ject, “God Calling Men to Ser
vice,” which was enjoyed by all.
Sunday evening Dr. Coleman
gave a fine talk.
We had a pleasant time at
our Sunday school picnic
which was held at South River
Wednesday of last week.
Mrs. Hipp, Mrs. Allie V.
Dunn, Mrs. Annie McCormick
and Mr. L. W. Ellis attended
the Synodical Convention and
School of Methods at Char
lotte.
The Missionary Society met
with Mrs. Clingman August 21
at 4 o’clock.
We are putting forth every
effort to get out of the base
ment before the weather gets
cold.
MARIE E. COWAN,